£68m superschool to open on October 26
The Barony Campus in Cumnock will open in late October.
The £68m superschool was due to open on August 20 but the coronavirus pandemicand UK lockdown- delayed the completion of the build.
Billed as “Scotland’s most innovative, ambitious and inclusive learning facility” the campus will be officially handed over by Morrison Construction to East Ayrshire Council on Friday, October 9.
And Monday, October 26 is the date set aside for the Robert Burns Academy to open to pupils.
Alex McPhee, the Council’s Depute Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer said: “This has been a challenging time for many sectors, including the construction industry and Morrison have worked closely with the Council to make sure the new campus can be completed as early as possible.
“Confirmation that the official handover date will be Friday, 9 October is very welcome news and reflects our shared ambitions for the project.”
Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Head of Education said: “I am delighted that Morrison Construction has confirmed the new handover date for the Barony Campus.
“Our ambitious school building programme over the last few years means we have a wealth of experience of moving children and young people into new schools.
“For Barony, this will mean a phased approach with the Robert Burns Academy pupils moving in first, followed a few weeks later by Lochnorris Primary School, Hillside School and Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre.
“All of the arrangements we are putting in place will reflect the most up to date guidance from the Scottish Government on the return of children and young people to school.”
The head teacher of the Barony Campus, Peter Gilchrist, previous said pupils will have “endless opportunities” to achieve their potential- once the school is fully operational.
The new Cumnock school will boast around 2500 pupils and become Scotland’s biggestand one of the biggest in the UK.In January, The Post told how council officials, school children and other dignitaries were afforded the VIP treatment as they were given a behind-thescenes peek at the new school. East Ayrshire Provost Jim Todd, along with representatives from Morrison Construction, were also on hand to see the progress on the building.
It will bring five schools together on one campus including Cumnock Academy and Supported Learning
Centre, Auchinleck Academy, Barshare Primary School, Supported Learning Centre and Early Childhood Centre, Greenmill Primary school and Early Childhood Centre and Hillside Additional Support Needs School.
Monday, October 26 is the date set aside for the Robert Burns Academy to open to pupils.